Terminal 1 Tour

Stop 1

As you enter Terminal 1 turn to your right and walk to the food court near Gates 40-48. Enter the food court. Can you find an area from which to view airplanes? What airlines do you see?

Stop 2

Follow the signs for the "AirTrain" and take the escalator up to the AirTrain platform. AirTrain is a"people mover;" it operates 24 hours every day and takes passengers between terminals, to the terminal garages, and to the Rental Car Center. AirTrain is free to ride and can be boarded from any terminal.

Passengers riding AirTrain get a great view of the airport, including the runways. If you have time, take a ride on AirTrain. A full loop on the Red Line, which circles SFO's four terminals, takes approximately 9 minutes; a return trip on the Blue Line, which goes to SFO's Rental Car Center, takes about19 minutes. If there is space, sit at the front of the first car for the best view. Exit AirTrain back at the Terminal 1 station.

Stop 3

Take the escalator or elevator down to Level 1 for the Arrivals/Baggage Claim area. Walk along the wall by the exit doors until you find the Children's Art exhibit. This gallery, part of SFO Museum, provides San Francisco schools and other community youth organizations with children's art programs the opportunity to exhibit their art at SFO.

Stop 4

Exit the terminal through the last door, go outside and follow the paw prints to the animal relief area. SFO has two animal relief areas, one at the end of Terminal 1 and one at the end of Terminal 3. Many people travel with pets or service animals, and this area provides the animals with a fully enclosed rest space and drinking water.

Stop 5

Go back into the terminal and take the escalator or elevator to Level 2, Departures Level. Turn to your right and follow the signs for the International Terminal. Walk through the connecting corridor. The mosaic on the wall is by Joyce Kozloff and is a representation of three styles. The left panel, "Bay Area Victorian," portrays the style and ornamentation of old houses in several San Francisco districts. The right panel, "Bay Area Deco," refers to the architecture of downtown Oakland and the center panel, "Area Funk," is a collection of Berkeley memorabilia from the 1960's.